Many thanks go to Fiery Seas Publishing for the copy and opportunity to read and review this book.
May Gold, college adjunct, often dreams about the subject of her master’s thesis – Gianlorenzo Bernini. In her fantasies she’s in his arms, the wildly adored partner of the man who invented the Baroque.
But in reality, May has just landed in Rome with her teaching colleagues and older boyfriend who is paying her way. She yearns to unleash her passion and creative spirit, and when the floor under the gilded dome of St Peter’s basilica rocks under her feet, she gets her chance. Walking through the veil that appears, she finds herself in the year 1624, staring straight into Bernini’s eyes. Their immediate and powerful attraction grows throughout May’s tour of Italy. And as she continues to meet her ethereal partner, even for brief snatches of time, her creativity and confidence blossom. All the doorways to happiness seem blocked for May-all except the shimmering doorway to Bernini’s world.
May has to choose: stay in her safe but stagnant existence, or take a risk. Will May’s adventure in time ruin her life or lead to a magical new one?
The Renaissance Club was published 23rd January 2018 by Fiery Seas Publishing and is available to buy from the following retailers – Amazon UK | Amazon US
MY THOUGHTS
The Renaissance Club follows May, a young woman who along with her boyfriend and other professors heads off on a tour around Italy to learn more about art in the Renaissance era. Being guided by George who has the ability to time travel, he see’s May’s passion for Bernini and gives her an opportunity that could change her life for ever.
I have to admit this was a completely different kind of read for me and I was a bit apprehensive to begin with but I soon found myself settling in to the story and dreaming I was in Italy.
There were two things that really stood out for me in this book, one was the descriptions of Italy, it was almost like I was being taken on a virtual tour through Florence, Rome and Venice. It was like I was there with May and I was able to picture each location vividly as I was reading. The second thing was the poetic feel I got throughout the book and it wasn’t until I’d finished reading and had a little look at the author Rachel Dacus to see she is also a poet.
The story itself was quite fascinating as we are transported back and forth through time with May, her relationship with Darren is strained to say the least and Darren isn’t a very nice character, he’s very status driven, where as May is very creative and it soon becomes very clear they both want different things from life so I was rooting for May to follow her passion and see sense.
The Renaissance Club really surprised me, like I said previously this isn’t usually my genre but I really did enjoy this time traveling romance. It’s not overly powerful on the mushiness and although it’s based on art and history I didn’t feel like I was sitting through a history lesson either. Full of enchanting descriptions this really is a captivating story that I’m sure will really appeal to art, history, romance or time travelling lovers especially but if like me you feel this may be out of your comfort zone then take a chance as I’m sure you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how much you enjoy The Renaissance Club.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rachel Dacus is the daughter of a bipolar rocket engineer who blew up a number of missiles during the race-to-space 1950’s. He was also an accomplished painter. Rachel studied at UC Berkeley and has remained in the San Francisco area. Her most recent book, Gods of Water and Air, combines poetry, prose, and a short play on the afterlife of dogs. Other poetry books are Earth Lessons and Femme au Chapeau.
Her interest in Italy was ignited by a course and tour on the Italian Renaissance. She’s been hooked on Italy ever since. Her essay “Venice and the Passion to Nurture” was anthologized in Italy, A Love Story: Women Write About the Italian Experience. When not writing, she raises funds for nonprofit causes and takes walks with her Silky Terrier. She blogs at Rocket Kid Writing.
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